Game farmer charged after worker dies in freak accident

ANA

SAPS

A 45-year-old Limpopo game farmer faces a charge of culpable homicide after a Zimbabwean worker on a neighbouring farm accidentally shot himself with his darting gun at a farm near Lephalale.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said the incident happened on Friday when the farmer, one of the labourers on his own farm, and the deceased were looking for a buffalo that had escaped from the farm.

“The game farmer was allegedly accompanied by his 28-year-old employee, and both were then joined by the deceased. According to a preliminary report, the alleged freak accident happened when the deceased, a 30-year-old Zimbabwean, allegedly shot himself at about 9am while walking in the company of the two, tracking down the buffalo,” Mojapelo.

“He immediately started shivering and was rushed to a hospital in Polokwane, where he later died at about 12pm, apparently due to the effect of the animal-darting substance. The matter was then reported at Polokwane Police Station.”

The police investigation into the shooting was continuing.

Mojapelo said: “Legal gun owners are once again warned to always adhere to laws governing the handling of firearms, as the police will not hesitate to take strong actions against noncompliance.”